Reciting “That’s My King!” by S.M. Lockridge – Video

Various versions of the late S.M. Lockridge‘s original speech, “That’s My King!“, have been mixed and remixed into cool videos over the years; this video is a grainy recording of me reciting it as part of a larger performance at a church several years ago. 

When I was 13 or 14, my pastor read bits of this speech/sermon. It might have been the atmosphere or something to do with my state of existential angst, but I was so inspired by these God-proclamations that I immediately wanted to say those words too. So I memorized it.

“No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.

S.M. Lockridge, “That’s My King!”

The next week, contrary to my generally introverted nature, I recited these words at a Sunday church gathering. I felt my heart swell as I spoke these words; a life-giving and life-receiving connection to the One they glorified, and to the people listening. It was as though I was being introduced to the God I thought I knew most of my life. For me, the Redeemer-King Jesus became more real to me in reciting these words, and they’ve been a part of me ever since.

“Do you know Him? Well, my king, He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world… He stands alone in the solitude of Himself. And he’s the only One qualified to be an all-sufficient saviour.”

S.M. Lockridge, “That’s My King!”

At the time, I didn’t know who Shadrach Meshach Lockridge was. When I finally learned more about him, and actually heard his voice say the words that had so deeply affected my life, I found out he’d already passed away. Lockridge’s church was only a day-trip away to San Diego — incidentally, the eventual relocation of my pastor from whom I first heard the speech!

I always kinda wished I could have met or seen Lockridge say these words (or one of his notable variations) in person. Maybe I would have told him how his recorded adoration of our King was a part of my spiritual growth. Maybe I’ll get to tell him after That Great Day. Maybe we’ll be too busy celebrating with the King.

The Lord will then be king over all the earth. In that day the Lord will be seen as one with a single name. ~ Zechariah 14:9

Zechariah 14:9

Lockridge’s words–“That’s My King!”–remain timeless and inspiring because they remind us of the scriptures and its primary Subject: the sovereign God, Yahweh, El Shaddai; the King who dwelt among us in the form of the man, Jesus, the Messiah; the second Joshua, the new Moses, the last Adam, Yeshua bin David / bin Yosef / bin Ephraim, the Son of Man, the Son of God; offering Himself as the one and only qualified sacrifice and saviour to reconcile my soul with its Creator.

That’s My King.

“I wish I could describe Him to you. But He’s indescribable! You can’t get out of your mind, and you can’t get Him off your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him because they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him!”

S.M. Lockridge, “That’s My King!”